Abstract

Mohammed Y, Dr. Mukhtar M. D* and Orah S.A

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at evaluating the synergistic activity of Garlic, Ginger and Moringa extracts on ear, nose and throat associated fungi and vancomycin resistant cocci. The plant materials were extracted with methanol and petroleum ether. The extracts were screened for phytochemical contents as well. The microbial isolates were obtained from 33 patients (45.5% females and 54.5% males, 78.8% children and 21.2% adults) attending ear, nose and throat clinic at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Coccal bacteria and fungi were isolated accordingly. The cocci were screened for vancomycin resistance. The antimicrobial assay was carried out by combining the plant extracts at concentrations 100 and 50mg/mL into different ratios (1:1:1, 1:2:1, 2:1:2, 1:2:2 and 2:2:1 w/v). Brine shrimp toxicity test was also conducted. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus were isolated. Twenty one point four percent (21.4%) S. aureus were vancomycin resistant, 20% of S. pneumoniae isolated were vancomycin resistant and 16.7% S. pyogenes were vancomycin resistant. The most susceptible organism to the extracts was C. albicans and the least susceptible was S. pyogenes. Though the most active combined ratio for both the methanol and petroleum ether extract is the 1:1:1 w/v ratio which gave zones of inhibition ranging from 08mm-30mm but the best ratio was 2:2:1 w/v ratio. The brine shrimp lethality assay showed LC50 value ranging from 0.006-3.691?g/mL for all the extracts except Moringa methanol extract which was mildly toxic with LC50 value 0f 93.48?g/mL. In conclusion, the ratios showed appreciable activity against the fungal isolates and vancomycin resistant cocci associated with Ear, Nose and Throat symptoms. The search for novel cytotoxic fractions in Moringa and a better combined ratio of use of these candidate extracts should be encouraged.